Several prominent figures, including Pele, Raul Albiol and Toni Grande, have declared that the 31-year-old would be a worthy winner of the annual player of the year award after helping Spain to the Euro 2012 title.

And it is an opinion shared by De Gea, who went on to claim that the Real Madrid shot-stopper is the best in his position.

"He is the best goalkeeper in the world," De Gea is quoted as saying by AS. "He has been playing at the highest level for many years and he is the captain of Madrid and Spain.

"He has won three international titles in the last four years, he has been part of the football elite for a long time.

"It is time to give the Ballon d'Or to a goalkeeper. Iker deserves it."